Hoshino Tai | Bergson's 'Time and Free Will' (Shokado U-Books)
A new translation of Bergson's philosophical work 'Time and Free Will' is analyzed, highlighting the translator's contribution and historical significance.Summary
This book is a translation of Henri Bergson's 1889 work 'Essai sur les données immédiates de la conscience,' commonly known as 'Time and Free Will.' It is the first of Bergson's 'Four Major Works' and critiques the confusion between the 'quality' and 'quantity' of sensations and emotions, arguing that true freedom exists within the continuous flow of time (durée). The translator, Hironori Hirai, first published this translation in 1965 as part of the 'Bergson Complete Works' and it was reprinted in 1990 under the 'Idea Selected Books' series. The book includes an essay by Nobuo Miura reflecting on Hirai's legacy and the post-war Japanese intellectual community, including the 'Hirai School.' Amid growing interest in classical philosophy and new translations, this work underscores the importance of revisiting foundational scholarly contributions.
(Source：artscape)